In 2007, my life changed instantly when the ground literally fell out from beneath me. My trauma made me angry. Even when I was doing my best to heal, I still felt like a monster. But I knew I had a choice. I could stay in the muck, get lost in it, harden my heart to it - or I could learn how to thrive with it. I could learn how to make it my ally and use it to create ripples and waves that bring light to the world and fill my heart with joy again.

We've turned our aliveness into a search for livelihood. Our lives have gotten wrapped up in a rat race. Our survival, seemingly dependent on stress and busyness. when we can slow down enough to align our doings with our being... great. things. happen. Our way of being: the way we show up in the world, the way we engage with our neighbors, our planet - these are the ways we will change the world. These are the ways we move beyond surviving to thriving. Truly living, means being with all of it - the laughter and the tears, the anger and the elation. We need to break open our hearts to feel the full scope of life and bring awareness to the ripples we create in this world- the imprint we leave through our words, actions and even in-actions.

FAQ - Coaching

Are you a certified coach?

The short answer is no.

Here's the longer answer:Coaching is a fairly new profession and there are no regulatory guidelines provided by the state like there are for mental health professionals. Coaches who refer to themselves as "certified" have completed one of the many training programs available, but have not passed any kind of standardized exam.

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?

I've made a career of understanding and helping people. In 2005, received my Bachelor of Science in Family Social Science and Youth Studies. This degree provided me with basic counseling skills and a thorough understanding of family systems theory. I completed my Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership in 2013.

I've worked with youth and families for more than a decade and have encountered a vast array of heart hurts during that time. This experience is bolstered by my own experience of trauma and healing. I've personally experienced many healing modalities, from traditional therapy to creative self-expression. My personal and professional experiences with stress and trauma have led me to specialized development opportunities such as STAR: Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience, the Center for Courage and Renewal's Academy for Leaders, and numerous other presentations and workshops.

Do you offer free or low-cost coaching for those in Need?

Coaching is a significant part of my livelihood so I am not able to offer free sessions. I do, however, offer discounts from time to time. Sign up for my e-newsletter or connect through social media (find links at the bottom of this page) to receive notifications about reduced rates.

​If you aren't ready to invest in a coach, I'd encourage you to check out my upcoming e-course, Bounce Back Bootcamp, which will be a self-paced guide to some of the same material at a fraction of the price.

Who could benefit from Resilience Coaching?

Answer to question 3

What if I haven't experienced anything tragic or traumatic?

Life is full of hard. As a culture, we've developed a really bad habit of denying our own pain because someone has it worse. Someone will ALWAYS have it worse. That doesn't change the fact that you've been dealt your own challenges. Pretending those challenges aren't hard doesn't help you, and it certainly doesn't help others who are facing their own kind of hard.

Each time I share the story of my experience on the bridge I relive it a little bit. Since 2007, I've shared my story regularly with the intention of shining a light on the human cost of the collapse. I've given detailed accounts of my story, and you can listen/watch/read many on this website. Now my goal is to shine a light on the ways we are connected through our hurts and equipped with the resilience to find thriving. I share the parts of my story that highlight the struggles and successes that I've experienced on my own path with the hopes it can help others on theirs. I ask that people refrain from asking how, why and what questions specific to the actual collapse.

Are you willing to Travel?

Yes. Travel expenses are at the cost of the host and include: mileage (over 50mi.), airfare, lodging, and transportation. If driving, I charge the standard IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 57.5 cents/mi. over 50 miles.

FAQ - The Bridge Collapse

THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE WAS SO UNBELIEVABLE. CAN I ASK YOU QUESTIONS ABOUT IT?

I share my story as a tool to help others through their own healing process. I request that you be mindful of the purpose of your question. If it is driven by curiosity, please visit my media page to review my previous public offerings. If your question is related to trauma recovery and you believe my answer will be of support to you on your journey, please ask. Trauma is illusive and ever present, and rehashing the ins and outs of my experience can lead to emotional upheaval so I maintain boundaries that support this reality.